Tape Measure with Multiple Spring Retraction

ABSTRACT

A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system includes at least two springs that drive a tape spool during tape retraction. The springs are indirectly coupled to each other via a single center post, in one embodiment, two center posts on a single spool, in another embodiment, or two center posts that are on different spools, in another embodiment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit from U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/593,625, filed Dec. 1, 2017, the contentsof which is incorporated herein in its entirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. Thepresent invention relates specifically to a tape measure, measuringtape, retractable rule, etc., that includes a spring-based retractionsystem having an arrangement of multiple springs and in a specificembodiment, the multiple springs function in series.

Tape measures are measurement tools used for a variety of measurementapplications, including in the building and construction trades. Sometape measures include a graduated, marked blade wound on a reel and alsoinclude a retraction system for automatically retracting the blade ontothe reel. In some typical tape measure designs, the retraction system isdriven by a coil or spiral spring that is tensioned. The spring storesenergy as the tape is extended and releases energy to spin the reel andwind the blade back onto the reel as the tape is retracted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention described herein relates to a tape measureutilizing a retraction system with at least two springs, and in specificembodiments, the at least two springs are arranged such that theyfunction in series with each other. In one or more embodiments thespring-based retraction system uses a single center post that transferstorque between two springs as a tape blade is paid out from a tapemeasure housing. In a first embodiment, as a tape blade is paid out fromthe tape measure housing, a tape spool is rotated around an axis of thetape measure. One spring, which is coupled to the tape spool and thecenter post, transfers force from the tape spool to the center post.Another spring transfers force from the center post to the housing ofthe tape measure. Thus, the energy stored as a result of paying out thetape blade from the tape measure housing is stored equally between thetwo springs.

In another embodiment, the center post is formed from two center postsections, and the tape measure also includes a spring reel. The firstcenter post section is coupled to (e.g., molded to) the tape spool, andthe second center post is coupled to (e.g., is molded to) the housing ofthe tape measure. As the tape blade is paid out of the tape measurehousing, one spring transfers torque from the first center post to thespring reel. The spring reel in turn transfers the force to a secondspring, which is also attached to the second center post. Again, theenergy stored as a result of paying out the tape blade from the tapemeasure housing is stored equally between the two springs.

In one embodiment, an attachment piece connects the tape blade to thetape spool. A first wider end of the attachment piece has two tabs thatextend laterally from the attachment piece and are coupled to openingsin the tape spool. The second end of the attachment piece slides into aslot formed in the tape blade. The second end of the attachment piecesimilarly has two tabs that extend laterally from the attachment pieceand are coupled to the tape blade. The width of the first end of theattachment piece, which couples to the tape spool, is wider than thelateral walls of the tape spool, and the width of the second end of theattachment piece, which couples to the tape blade, is wider than theslot in the tape blade but less wide than the lateral walls of the tapespool. Thus, when retracted, the tape blade and the attachment piecewrap around the tape spool.

In another embodiment, the spring is coupled to the housing via afastener such as a rivet that slides into a slot. The fastener issufficiently recessed such that when the fastener is disposed therein,the outside edge of the fastener is flush or below the outside surfaceof the housing that holds the spring. The fastener being flush or belowthe surface of the housing may prevent and/or mitigate the fastener fromengaging or scraping against the spool and/or the attachment piece whenthe tape blade is retracted.

In another embodiment, the tape measure includes a central axis that iscomprised of two axes co-aligned along their longitudinal axes. The axesare coupled together via protrusions and recesses from a bearing wall atone of their ends, with the protrusions engaging within the recesses.The axes may be biased together via a spring that acts upon at least oneof the axes along its longitudinal axis. Alternatively the axes may befixedly coupled together.

In another embodiment, the tape reel in the tape measure includesinternal walls that extend axially inward towards the centralaxis/arbor. As a result, the bearing surfaces of the tape reel arecloser to the center of the axis of rotation, so the area of frictionduring rotation is reduced, and therefore the total amount of frictionis also reduced, thus reducing the amount of force lost to friction whenthe tape blade is extended or retracted from the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape measure, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a tape measure, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the tape measure of FIG.1 showing a tape measure blade, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the center post in FIG. 1, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a tape blade attachment component,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the tape blade attachment component ofFIG. 4A attached to the tape spool shown in FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a tape measure spring with a fastenerand a portion of a tape measure housing including a slot for receipt ofthe spring fastener, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the tape measure spring fastener ofFIG. 5A received within the slot of the tape measure housing of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tape measure with two springsfunctioning in series along two center posts sections, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a tape measure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tape measure,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the axle in FIG. 9,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first axlecomponent in FIG. 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the second axlecomponent in FIG. 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a tapemeasure and elements thereof are shown. Various embodiments of the tapemeasure discussed herein include an innovative retraction systemincluding a dual spring retraction system.

As will generally be understood, a tape blade is coupled to a tape spoolin a tape measure. As described herein, in one embodiment the tape bladeis coupled to the tape spool by virtue of an attachment piece. A firstend of the attachment piece is coupled to openings in the lateral wallsof the tape spool. The second end of the attachment piece slides into aslot formed in the tape blade. Both ends of the attachment piece includetabs that project laterally and permit more secure coupling. The firstend of the attachment piece, which couples to the tape spool, is widerthan the tape spool, and the second end of the attachment piece, whichcouples to the tape blade, is wider than the slot in the tape blade.

In another embodiment, the spring in the tape measure is coupled to thehousing via a fastener such as a rivet that slides into a slot in thehousing. When the fastener is disposed within the slot it issufficiently recessed such that the fastener is flush or below theoutside surface of the housing that holds the spring. Thus, the fastenerdoes not scrape or engage with the tape blade and/or the attachmentpiece.

In another embodiment, the center post is formed from two center postsections. The first center post is molded to a tape spool, and thesecond center post is molded to the housing of the tape measure. As thetape blade is paid out and/or pulled out of the tape measure housing,one spring transfers torque from the first center post to the springreel. The spring reel in turn transfers the force to a second spring,which is attached to the second center post. Thus, the energy of thetape measure is shared between the two springs, which are indirectlycoupled via the tape spool.

In another embodiment, the center post is made of two center posts thatare coupled together, such as being rigidly coupled so that the centerposts do not rotate with respect to each other. The center posts may bebiased together via a spring to decrease the chance of the center postsde-coupling. Alternatively, the center posts may be fixedly coupledtogether, such as via welding.

In another embodiment, the tape reel includes internal walls that extendtowards the axle. As a result, the bearing surface of the tape reel hasa reduced area, which reduces the amount of energy lost to frictionduring rotation of the tape reel.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6B, a length measurement device, tape measure,measuring tape, retractable rule, etc., such as tape measure 10, isshown according to an exemplary embodiment. In this exemplaryembodiment, tape measure 10 includes a housing 20, a tape spool 30, acenter post 40, spring enclosures 50, a tape blade 60 (best shown inFIG. 3), an attachment piece 70 (best shown FIGS. 5A and 5B), andsprings 80 (an example of one of the springs 80 is shown in FIGS. 6A and6B).

In this exemplary embodiment, housing 20 encompasses springs 80, tapespool 30, and, when retracted, tape blade 60. Housing 20 includes afront housing 22 and a back housing 24. Housing 20 further includes anopening 25 (best shown in FIG. 6A) that receives one end of the centerpost 40, and a cylindrical protrusion wall 26 that receives andsurrounds one of the springs 80 (best shown in FIG. 2).

Tape spool 30 is utilized to hold tape blade 60 via radially securingtape blade 60 around tape spool 30 when tape blade 60 is at leastpartially retracted. In general, tape spool 30 includes interior wall 32of the tape spool 30, a first lateral wall 34 of the tape spool 30, anda second lateral wall 36 of the tape spool 30.

Center post 40 axially rotates generally near a center of the housingand is utilized to couple the springs so they function in series. Thecenter post 40 includes a first end 42 and a second end 44. Center post40 includes first cavity 43 and second cavity 45 (best shown in FIG. 4)and a middle 46 there between. In one embodiment, center post 40comprises two separate pieces that are coupled together to form a singlecenter post 40. In another embodiment, center post 40 comprises a singleobject, thereby removing and/or reducing the chance that center post 40may become de-coupled, thus causing failure of tape measure 10.

In general, center post 40 axially rotates around axis 28. In one ormore embodiments, ends 42 and 44 of center post 40 are located withinhousing 20, thereby allowing center post 40 to rotate around axis 28independent of housing 20.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of center post 40. In one or moreembodiments contemplated herein, center post 40 includes a first cavity43 and a second cavity 45, which are utilized to attach spring 80 tocenter post 40. For example, looking at both FIG. 4 and FIG. 6A,internal end 86 of the first spring is attached to first cavity 43, andinternal end 86 of the second spring is attached to second cavity 45. Inthis way the first spring and the second spring are indirectly coupledto each other via center post 40. It is contemplated herein that thefirst cavity 43 and second cavity 45 may each be a blind slot or an openslot. In one embodiment, internal ends 86 of the first spring and thesecond spring may be coupled to center post 40 via an end cap. It isfurther contemplated herein that internal ends 86 of the first springand the second spring may be coupled to center post 40 via other means.

In general, the spring enclosures 50 include a first spring enclosure52, on the left side of FIG. 2, and a second spring enclosure 54, on theright side of FIG. 2. In general, spring enclosures 50 are defined atleast partially within tape spool 30.

Looking now at the first spring enclosure 52 on the left side of FIG. 2,in one or more embodiments a first spring is wrapped around a portion ofcenter post 40 disposed between front housing 22 and a separation wall56 located between the adjacent springs 80, and a second spring iswrapped around a portion of center post 40 disposed between back housing24 and separation wall 56. The first spring and the second spring arecoiled or wound to store energy during extension of tape blade 60, andwhen they are permitted to unwind or uncoil they drive the rewinding oftape blade 60 onto tape spool 30 during retraction of tape blade 60.

As an exemplary embodiment of how spring 80 may wrap around center post40, we turn now to FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6A spring 80 is a flat spiralspring, although it is contemplated herein that spring may alternativelybe other configurations. In FIG. 6B, spring 80 is disposed within springenclosure 88, whereby fastener 82 of spring 80 is attached to springslot 31. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A, spring 80 is disposedagainst housing 20 inside of spring enclosure 88.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6A, the first spring in FIG. 2 is disposedwithin first spring enclosure 52 on the left side of FIG. 2. In thisconfiguration, the lateral edges of spring 80 (shown in FIG. 6A as thetop edge and the hidden bottom edge) are disposed against separationwall 56 and front housing 22. Similarly, the second spring in FIG. 2 isdisposed within second spring enclosure 54 on the right side of FIG. 2.In this configuration, the lateral edges of spring 80 are disposedagainst separation wall 56 and back housing 24.

The tape blade 60 may include a tape blade hook 62, which is preferablyattached to an outer end of tape blade 60 that protrudes from thehousing 20 of the tape measure 10 (best shown in FIG. 3), as well as aninternal end 64 of the tape blade 60. The tape blade 60 may be anelongated strip of material including a plurality of graduatedmeasurement markings, and in specific embodiments, tape blade 60 is anelongated strip of metal material (e.g., steel material) that includesan outer most end coupled to a hook assembly 62. Tape blade 60 mayinclude various coatings (e.g., polymer coating layers) to help protecttape blade 60 and/or the graduated markings of the tape blade 60 fromwear, breakage, etc. In various embodiments, tape blade 60 includes anelongate strip of metal covered in a polymer coating. In a specificembodiment, tape blade 60 has a metal thickness of less 0.13 mm,specifically between 0.09 mm and 0.13 mm.

Attachment piece 70 facilitates coupling tape blade 60 to tape spool 30.In general, attachment piece 70 has a first end 72 and a second end 74,whereby in one or more embodiments first end 72 is wider than second end74 (e.g., the embodiment in FIG. 5A). Each of the ends of the attachmentpiece 70 has ears or tabs, with a first tab 73A and a second tab 73Cprotruding laterally from first end 72, and a third tab 75A and a fourthtab 75C protruding laterally from second end 74. Each of the tabs has aninterior edge (e.g., first interior edge 73B for first tab 73A, secondinterior edge 73D for second tab 73C, third interior edge 75B for thirdtab 75A, and fourth interior edge 75D for fourth tab 75C). Theattachment piece 70 has a top face 79A and a bottom face 79B. In one ormore embodiments the attachment piece 70 includes a main body 76 and atapered portion 78 (e.g., the embodiment in FIG. 5A).

One aspect and/or advantage of utilizing attachment piece 70 is thatboth springs 80 may be completely enclosed by tape spool 30. Thisconfiguration may facilitate manufacture by virtue of springs 80 notneeding to be fed through a slot in tape spool 30.

However, it is contemplated herein that attachment piece 70 may not beutilized in the tape measure and instead tape blade 60 is attached totape spool 30, such as by, for exemplary purposes only and withoutlimitation, being welded, riveted, or otherwise fastened to tape spool30. In embodiments that utilize this approach, springs 80 may still beenclosed within tape spool 30.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, attachment piece 70 is utilized to securetape blade 60 to tape measure 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.In FIG. 2, tape blade 60 is attached to tape spool 30 via first end 72of attachment piece 70. Looking at FIG. 5B in particular, first andsecond tabs 73A and 73C are inserted into corresponding tape spoolattachment slots 37 in tape spool 30. The width 71 of first end 72 ofattachment piece 70 is greater than the distance between first lateralwall 34 of tape spool 30 and second lateral wall 36 of tape spool 30.This relative sizing allows tabs 73A and 73C to extend into slots 37,and the engagement between tabs 73A and 73C couples attachment piece 70to tape spool 30. In other words, tabs 73A and 73C are sized such thatwidth 71 is greater than a width measured between opposing innersurfaces of lateral walls 34 and 36 of tape spool 30. Thus, interioredges 73B and 73D of attachment piece 70, when disposed within tapespool attachment slots 37 in tape spool 30, are configured to transferlateral force exerted upon attachment piece 70 into rotational motion oftape spool 30, and vice versa. The second end 74 of attachment piece 70is less wide than the distance between first and second lateral walls34, 36 of tape spool 30. Thus the second end 74 of attachment piece 70fits within the lateral walls of tape spool 30.

In one embodiment, attachment piece 70 is not used and tape blade 60 iscoupled directly to tape spool 30. In this embodiment, tabs are formedat one end of tape blade 60 to attach to tape spool 30, such as byforming tape blade 60 a uniform width wider than tape spool 30, andsubsequently removing material from the length of tape blade 60 exceptfor a small portion at the end of tape blade 60 which is coupled to tapespool 30.

Tape blade 60 is attached to second end 74 of attachment piece 70 viatabs 75A and 75C. In one embodiment, second end 74 of attachment piece70 is coupled to a slot formed in tape blade 60. In this embodiment,tape blade 60 includes a slot near the internal end 64 of tape blade 60that attachment piece 70 is slid into. The slot near the internal end 64of tape blade 60 runs perpendicular to the length of tape blade 60 andthe width of the slot is smaller than the width of tabs 75A and 75C.Therefore, when second end 74 is placed within the slot the engagementbetween tabs 75A and 75C couples attachment piece 70 to tape blade 60.

Fastener 82 facilitates coupling spring 80 to housing 20 (best shownFIG. 6A). In one or more embodiments, spring 80 includes a fastener 82,which is disposed near an outer end 84 of spring 80, and which isopposite an interior end 86 of spring 80. In the embodiment shown,fastener 82 is a post or projection that extends radially outward awayfrom a radially outward facing surface of spring 80.

In one or more embodiments, when fastener 82 is attached to slot 31(best shown in FIG. 6B), fastener 82 is disposed beneath an outersurface 89 of spring enclosure 88. Fastener 82 is sized relative to slot31 such that when fastener 82 is received into slot 31, fastener 82 doesnot extend radially beyond the radially outward facing surface 89 ofspring enclosure 88. Applicant has found that by a flush or recessedpositioning of fastener 82 relative to outer facing surface 89, rubbingbetween spring enclosure 88 and tape spool 30 is prevented duringrotation of the tape spool 30. One aspect and/or advantage of thisconfiguration is that fastener 82 of spring 80 can be more easily slidinto slot 31 while spring 80 is coiled than when other couplingapproaches are utilized (e.g., spot welding spring 80 to spool 30). Thisconfiguration of coupling fastener 82 with slot 31 also more easilypermits center post 40 and tape spool 30 to optionally consist of asingle piece, although it is contemplated herein that center post 40and/or tape spool 30 may each consist of multiple pieces (e.g., twopieces).

Turning now to FIG. 3, tape measure 10 is shown in a perspective viewwith tape blade 60 partially disposed within housing 20. The portion oftape blade 60 that is disposed within housing 20 is located betweenfirst lateral wall 34 and second lateral wall 36 of tape spool 30. Theinterior portion of tape blade 60 is attached to tape spool 30 viaattachment piece 70 (best shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

In use, in a retracted state, tape blade 60 is mostly disposed withintape measure 10 (see FIG. 3 for an exemplary embodiment) around tapespool 30. When a user pulls on blade hook 62 of tape blade 60, a portionof tape blade 60 is removed from housing 20. As tape blade 60 isextracted/extended from housing 20, tape spool 30 rotates to feed tapeblade 60 out of housing 20. Correspondingly, when tape spool 30 rotatesthen second spring 80 located in second spring enclosure 54 also rotatesand applies torque to center post 40. The center post 40, in turn, alsorotates and applies torque to first spring 80 located in first springenclosure 52. The first spring 80 is secured to center post 40 andcylindrical wall 26 of housing 20 (best shown in FIG. 2). Thus, therotation of tape spool 30 ultimately exerts a retraction force on boththe first spring and the second spring that is equally shared betweenthe two springs, which are simultaneously actuated (i.e., tensioned).For each rotation of tape spool 30 each of the first and second springsare only rotated one-half of a turn each.

As shown in FIG. 3, the non-extended portion of tape blade 60 is woundonto tape spool 30, which is surrounded by housing 20. Tape spool 30 isrotatably disposed about an axis 28 of tape measure 10, and the firstand second springs are coupled to tape spool 30 and configured to drivetape spool 30 about rotation axis 28, which in turn provides poweredretraction of tape blade 60. In various embodiments, tape measure 10 mayinclude a tape lock that selectively engages tape blade 60, which actsto hold tape blade 60 and tape spool 30 in place such that an extendedsegment of tape blade 60 remains at a desired length.

In one or more embodiments contemplated herein the first spring and thesecond spring each have the same spring constant. However, it is alsocontemplated herein that the first spring and the second spring may havedifferent spring constants from each other.

In specific embodiments, the outermost height dimension of housing 20 isless than 3.25 inches and the length of tape blade 60 is between 25 and50 ft. In another specific embodiment, the outermost height dimension ofhousing 20 is less than 3.25 inches and the thickness of tape blade 60is between 0.1 to 0.7 mm, or more specifically is 0.3 to 0.6 mm, or evenmore specifically at about 0.4 mm (e.g., 0.4 mm plus or minus 10%).

Referring now to FIG. 7, tape measure 110 is shown according to anotherexemplary embodiment. Tape measure 110 is substantially similar to tapemeasure 10, except as discussed herein.

In one or more embodiments, tape measure 110 also includes spring reel190, which is disposed within tape spool 130. One aspect and/oradvantage of this configuration is that, during manufacture, bothsprings 180 may be installed in their respective chambers in springspool 190 and spring spool 190 may subsequently be inserted into housing120.

Tape measure 110 also includes two center posts: first center post 140and second center post 141. Second center post 141 is insert molded inback housing 124 of housing 120, and first center post 140 is insertmolded in tape spool 130.

Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the first spring isdisposed within first spring compartment 194 and is coupled to the firstcenter post 140 and tape spool 130. The second spring is disposed withinsecond spring compartment 196 and is coupled to tape spool 30 and secondcenter post 141.

In use, when tape blade 160 is pulled from housing 120, tape spool 130rotates to feed the tape blade 160. In turn, first center post 140rotates, which exerts force on the first spring located in the firstspring compartment 194 on the left. The first spring exerts torque onspring reel 190, which in turn exerts force on the second spring locatedin the second spring compartment 196 on the right. The second spring iscoupled to second center post 141, which is insert molded to backhousing 124. Thus, the force exerted by a user removing tape blade 160from housing 120 is transferred from tape blade 160 to housing 120 viatape spool 130, first center post 140, the first spring, spring reel190, the second spring, and second center post 141. As a result, theenergy from the retraction is stored equally between the first springand the second spring. Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 2, for eachfull turn of tape spool 130, each of the first spring and the secondspring are only rotated half of a turn.

Referring now to FIG. 8, tape spool 230 extends radially through housing220 and includes tape spool center post 239. Tape spool center post 239extends laterally through axis 228. Tape measure 210 also includesspring spool 290, which encloses spring 280 on the left side of FIG. 8and which includes spring spool center post 298. Spring spool centerpost 298 also extends through axis 228.

For ease of reference only, the “first” spring is located on the leftside of FIG. 8 and the “second” spring is located on the right side ofFIG. 8. The external end 284 of the first spring is coupled to springspool 290, and the internal end 286 of the first spring is coupled totape spool center post 239. The external end 284 of the second spring iscoupled to cylindrical wall 226 that is rigidly coupled to housing 220,and the internal end 286 of the second spring is coupled to spring spoolcenter post 298.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a portion of tape spool center post239 is disposed within opening 225 in housing 220, thus preferablyrestricting the movement of tape spool 230 to rotate around axis 228.Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a portion of spring spoolcenter post 298 does not extend into a corresponding opening in housing220. In some embodiments, a portion of tape spool center post 239 and/orspring spool center post 298 is disposed within an opening 225 inhousing 220 along axis 228. In another embodiment, no portion of tapespool center post 239 or spring spool center post 298 is disposed withinan opening 225 in housing 220 along axis 228.

In use, as tape blade 260 is pulled from housing, tape spool 230 rotatesto feed the tape blade 260. In turn, tape spool center post 239 rotates,which exerts force on the first spring located on the left in FIG. 8.The first spring exerts torque on spring reel 290, which in turn exertsforce via spring spool center post 298 on the second spring located onthe right in FIG. 8. The second spring is coupled to housing 220. Thus,the force exerted by a user removing tape blade 260 from housing 220 istransferred from tape blade 260 to housing 220 via tape spool 230, tapespool center post 239, the first spring, spring reel 290, spring spoolcenter post 298 and the second spring. As a result, the energy from theretraction is stored equally between the first spring and the secondspring. Similar to the embodiment in FIG. 2, for each full turn of tapespool 130, each of the first spring and the second spring are onlyrotated half of a turn.

Turning to FIGS. 9-12, tape measure 310 includes housing 320 surroundingtape spool 330 around which tape blade 60 is wound and springs 80 areenclosed. In use, spool 330 rotates within housing 320 and is supportedby axle 340 at bearing surfaces 398. Bearing surfaces 398 axiallysupport spool 330 with respect to the longitudinal axis 328 of axle 340.In one or more embodiments, blade-supporting wall 332, which supportsthe tape blade when wound within housing 320, is radially further fromaxis 328 of axis 340 than bearing surfaces 398. Spool 330 includesspring enclosures 350, which include first spring enclosure 352 andsecond spring enclosure 354 house springs 80.

Spring case 390 is within first spring enclosure 352 and is fixedlysecured to housing 320. First spring 80 (not shown) is enclosed in firstspring enclosure 352, and is coupled between cylindrical wall 396 andaxle 340. In second spring enclosure 354, second spring 80 (not shown)is coupled between axle 340 and spool 330. Axle 340 rotates and issecured within exterior sleeves 358 and interior sleeves 356.

As tape blade 60 is unwound from tape measure 310, spool 330 rotateswith respect to housing 320. One end of second spring 80 in secondspring enclosure 354 receives that rotation and transfers it to secondcenter post 344 of axle 340. Second center post 344 is coupled to firstcenter post 342 by their respective interior bearings 348. The rotationof first center post 342 exerts a force on first spring 80, whichdevelops tension against spring case 390, which is fixedly coupled tohousing 320. The tension between springs 80 is generally equally sharedand is released when springs 80 are permitted to retract tape blade 60into housing 320.

Turning to FIGS. 10-12, in one embodiment center post 340 includes firstpost 342 and second post 344. First post 342 includes first cavity 343to which spring 80 is coupled, and second post 344 includes secondcavity 345. At either end of first and second post 342, 344 is interiorbearing 348 and exterior bearing 349. First post 342 and second post 344are releasably coupled together via apertures 346 and protrusions 347.By this coupling, axial rotation of either center post 342, 344 exerts acorresponding rotational force on the other center post 342, 344.

In one embodiment, first center post 342 and second center post 344 areprevented from decoupling by housing 320 preventing either center posts342, 344 from moving apart. In another embodiment, first and secondcenter posts 342, 344 are fixedly coupled together, such as with arivet, weld, glue, magnet, etc.

In another embodiment, one or more springs 80 exert a compressive forceon center posts 342, 344 along their longitudinal axis. Such springs 80may be located, for example, at one or both exterior bearings 349 andexert a pushing force against housing 320, which biases center posts342, 344 together. In another example, such springs 80 could be locatedbetween their respective interior bearings 348, and exert a separatingforce on center posts 342, 344. In these examples, when housing 320 isdeformed then springs 80 will at least partly compensate for thedeformation and prevent apertures 346 and protrusions 347 from becomingdecoupled.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for description purposes only andshould not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, andis not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

Various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any ofthe features, and any such combination of features may be claimed inthis or future applications. Any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilizedalone or in combination with any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the other embodiments discussed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape measure comprising: a housing; an axlehaving a longitudinal axis that is rotatably mounted within the housing;a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around the axle, thetape reel comprising a radially inward-facing surface defining first andsecond spring enclosures, and a radially outward-facing surface, thetape reel further comprising first and second bearing surfaces thataxially support the tape reel with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe axle, the first and second bearing surfaces interfacing against theaxle; an elongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facingsurface of the tape reel; a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of theelongate tape blade; a first spiral spring located within the firstspring enclosure, the first spiral spring coupled between thecylindrical wall of the housing and the axle such that when the elongatetape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from the housing thefirst spiral spring stores energy, and the first spiral spring releasingenergy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel;and a second spiral spring located within the second spring enclosure,the second spiral spring coupled between the tape reel and the axle suchthat when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel toextend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy, and thesecond spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongatetape blade on to the tape reel; and wherein, during extension andrewinding of the elongate tape blade, both the axle and tape reel rotatewithin the housing.
 2. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the axlecomprises two center posts that share a longitudinal axis.
 3. The tapemeasure of claim 2, wherein the two center posts each include aninterior bearing wall with protrusions and apertures, and the centerposts are coupled together via the respective protrusions and apertures.4. The tape measure of claim 3, wherein the center posts comprise aspring exerting a force against the center posts along theirlongitudinal axes.
 5. The tape measure of claim 2, wherein the centerposts are rigidly coupled together.
 6. The tape measure of claim 1,wherein the tape reel comprises first, second and third bearing surfacesthat axially support the tape reel with respect to the longitudinal axisof the axle.
 7. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the tape reelfurther comprises a blade-supporting wall that comprises the radiallyinward-facing surface, the blade-supporting wall being further in aradial direction from the longitudinal axis of the axle than the firstinternal bearing surface.
 8. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein thetape reel further comprises a blade-supporting wall that comprises theradially inward-facing surface, the blade-supporting wall being furtherin a radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the axle than thefirst and second internal bearing surfaces.
 9. The tape measure of claim1, wherein the tape reel further comprises a blade-supporting wall thatcomprises the radially inward-facing surface, the blade-supporting wallbeing further in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis of theaxle than the first, second and third internal bearing surfaces.
 10. Atape measure comprising: a housing comprising a cylindrical internalwall defining a first spring enclosure; an axle rotatably mounted withinthe housing; a tape reel rotatably mounted within the housing around theaxle, the tape reel comprising a radially inward-facing surface definingan interior reel cavity and a radially outward-facing surface; anelongate tape blade wound around the radially outward-facing surface ofthe tape reel; a hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongatetape blade; a first spiral spring located within the first springenclosure defined by the cylindrical internal wall, the first spiralspring coupled between the cylindrical wall and the axle such that whenthe elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel to extend from thehousing the first spiral spring stores energy, and the first spiralspring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongate tape blade onto the tape reel; and a second spiral spring located within the interiorreel cavity and surrounded by the radially inward-facing surface of thetape reel, the second spiral spring coupled between the tape reel andthe axle such that when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tapereel to extend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy,and the second spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of theelongate tape blade on to the tape reel; and wherein, during extensionand rewinding of the elongate tape blade, both the axle and tape reelrotate within the housing.
 11. The tape measure of claim 10, the tapemeasure further comprising an attachment piece that is coupled to thetape blade and the tape reel.
 12. The tape measure of claim 11, whereinthe attachment piece comprises first and second ears that engage withslots in lateral walls of the tape reel.
 13. The tape measure of claim12, wherein a width of the first and second ears is greater than a widthbetween the lateral walls of the tape reel.
 14. The tape measure ofclaim 12, wherein the attachment piece comprises third and fourth earsthat engage with the tape blade.
 15. The tape measure of claim 10,wherein the second spring is coupled via a fastener to a slot in thetape reel.
 16. The tape measure of claim 10, wherein the axle comprisestwo center posts that share a longitudinal axis.
 17. The tape measure ofclaim 10, wherein the two center posts each include an interior bearingwall with protrusions and apertures, and the center posts are coupledtogether via the respective protrusions and apertures.
 18. The tapemeasure of claim 17, wherein the center posts are rigidly coupledtogether.
 19. A tape measure comprising: a housing comprising acylindrical internal protrusion defining a first spring enclosure; afirst axle; a second axle fixedly coupled to the housing; a tape reelrotatably mounted within the housing around the first and second axles,the tape reel fixedly coupled to the first axle and comprising aradially outward-facing surface; an elongate tape blade wound around theradially outward-facing surface of the tape reel; a hook assemblycoupled to an outer end of the elongate tape blade; a spring spooldisposed within tape reel, the spring spool comprising first and secondspring compartments; a first spiral spring located within the firstspring compartment, the first spiral spring coupled between the firstaxle and the tape reel such that when the elongate tape blade is unwoundfrom the tape reel to extend from the housing the first spiral springstores energy, and the first spiral spring releasing energy drivesrewinding of the elongate tape blade on to the tape reel; and a secondspiral spring located within the second spring compartment, the secondspiral spring coupled between the tape reel and the second axle suchthat when the elongate tape blade is unwound from the tape reel toextend from the housing the second spiral spring stores energy, and thesecond spiral spring releasing energy drives rewinding of the elongatetape blade on to the tape reel; and wherein, during extension andrewinding of the elongate tape blade, the tape reel, spring spool andfirst axle rotate within the housing.
 20. The tape measure of claim 19,wherein the spring spool comprises a separation wall between the firstspring and the second spring.